Hashtags, Headlines, and Hooks: Namrata Singh Unpacks the Formula for Viral Videos at MERI Workshop

On Monday, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Management Education and Research Institute (MERI) College, Janakpuri, hosted a specialized workshop titled “How to Become an Influencer @ MERI.” The session featured Senior Parliament TV journalist Ms. Namrata Singh as the keynote speaker.

Ms. Singh opened her address by emphasizing how social media has fundamentally reshaped the field of journalism. “Today,” she noted, “it’s not enough to report facts—you must also package and present them in a way that resonates.” She identified consistency, patience, and rigorous fact-checking as non-negotiable values for maintaining a credible and influential online presence.

During her talk, Ms. Singh shared practical strategies for maximizing a video’s reach on YouTube and other social platforms. She stressed that hashtags, titles, and content itself each play a critical role in virality. According to her, an effective title should not only be eye-catching but also tie into current trends, while the content must spark curiosity and encourage audience interaction.

The workshop concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which students posed numerous questions about the influencer’s role on social media, all of which Ms. Singh addressed in depth.

This event was organized under the guidance of Prof. Lalit Aggarwal, Vice-President of the MERI Group of Institutions. It began with opening remarks by Dr. S. K. Pandey, Head of the Journalism Department, who highlighted the growing significance of influencers in today’s digital landscape.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Deepshikha Kalra, Dean of MERI College. Among those in attendance were College Advisor Prof. Rakesh Khurana and faculty members including Prof. Sadanand Pandey. The workshop was expertly coordinated by BA-JAMC students Pritha Arora and Neha Saini.